Dublin's 10 most haunted

If you are looking for a scare at bedtime or a pint with a friendly ghost, there's plenty to choose from in the Dublin area.

17 October 2008 12:04 PM

Kavanagh's "The Grave Diggers", Glasnevin, Dublin

This pub from 1833 is named after the former landlord John Kavanagh - who fathered 25 children. It is commonly known as "The Gravediggers" due to its proximity to Prospect Cemetery and the frequently observed custom to order a pint by throwing a shovel of earth from the cemetery against the pub's wall.

The resident ghost is said to be an elderly man in old-fashioned tweeds, who sits at the bar enjoying a pint ... until he disappears without a trace.

The Castle Inn, Lord Edward Street, Dublin

The birthplace of James Clarence Mangan (1803) and one of Michael Collins favourite watering holes. Mangan still frequents the place today. A poet, his best known work is "Roisin Dubh", he died of cholera in 1849 after a short, drug-fueled life.

Today the temperature is said to dip and the mood to darken whenever Mangan's ghost decides to drop into the Castle Inn.

The Brazen Head, 20 Lower Bridge Street, Dublin

Reputed to be Dublin's oldest pub, although the current building is not the original one, it was formerly used by "Bold" Robert Emmet for meetings. He was hanged in September 1803 but still visits the "Brazen Head" in spectral form. He usually takes his place in the corner and looks out for enemies. Popular with tourists, even Emmet's executioner was a regular here.

Kilmainham Gaol

Today the gaol is a museum and believed to be haunted by both former inmates and the ghosts of wardens. With the twist that the wardens seem to be the unhappy, malevolent spirits more likely to harm you. The area around the prison chapel is often cited as being "most haunted".

Malahide Castle

Up until 1976 this was the home, for nearly 800 years, of the Talbot family.

Puck was the resident jester and fell in love with a noblewoman from Lady Elenora Fitzgerald's retinue. One night he was found outside the castle walls, stabbed through the heart. He managed to announce his intention to haunt the castle before dying. People claim to sense "presences" everywhere in the castle.

The Dublin Hellfire Club

Built in the 1700’s as a hunting lodge, it soon became known as the place for satanic rituals, animal and human sacrifices, and other strange happenings.

Many have reported seeing dark shadows walking and running through the rooms, and figures standing outside behind the large stones.

Saint Michan's Church, Dublin

Several guidebooks to haunted places feature this Dublin church and mention "a presence", voices and ice-cold finges running down spines.

The British author Derek Acorah also mentions that some corpses "look as if they have just fallen asleep".

Ardgillan Castle, Balbriggan, County Dublin

The house was built by the Reverend Robert Taylor in 1738.

The ghost of a woman is believed to haunt the bridge (known locally as The Lady's Stairs) that exists over the nearby railway line at the end of the garden. The bridge was damaged by a truck in 2006, and was renovated and reopened in 2007.

Dublin Castle

Located in the centre of Dublin, invaders to this castle were beheaded and displayed on the castle wall as a deterrent to others.

Hundreds of decapitated bodies are buried beneath the castle. Their vengeful souls are said to still roam the castle. Tour guides have reported poltergeist activity.

Killakee House

In 1968 Mrs Margaret O’Brien and her husband, Nicholas, purchased what was then a derelict building. Several workmen during the renovation soon grew used to eerie sounds and uncanny happenings. But when a large feline appeared mysteriously before them and then suddenly vanished, the builders became decidedly uneasy and the legend of the black cat of Killakee was born.